Open bucket ejector

ABSTRACT

An open bucket ejector mechanism operated by a rack and pinion utilizing an accordion type arm structure which serves to protect hoses for a hydraulic actuating mechanism, the accordion protector serving additionally as a hose retractor.

United States Patent [191 Reed 1 1 OPEN BUCKET EJECTOR [76] Inventor: D. M. Reed, P.O. Box 652, Martin,

22 Filed: June 28,1972

21 Appl. No.: 266,967

52 vs. Cl. 214/82 511 1m. (:1. E02f 3/00, B65f 3/00 58 Field 6: Search 214/514, 730, 82, 214/510,146 E [56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,955,721 10/1961 Hepler et a1. 214/730 X Dec. 11, 1973 3,212,657 10/1965 Murfitt et a1, 214/82 Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney-Da'vid H. Semmes [57] ABSTRACT An open bucket ejector mechanism operated by a rack and pinion utilizing an accordion type arm structure which serves to protect hoses for a hydraulic actuating mechanism, the accordion protector serving additionally as a hose retractor.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 1 7 smear:

OPEN BUCKET EJECTOR BACKGROUND oF THE INVENTION Vehicles, such as employed, for example, in mining operations and the like, usually consist of low silhouette constructions and include a forward scoop or open bucket operably located ahead of the vehicle frame. In some such constructions, operation of the open bucket, and principally the ejector means therefrom, have required complicated structures and have been subject to damage in use. Work vehicles of a mine operations type are shown, for example, in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,226,857 and 3,545,634.

The present invention comprises improvements in such vehicles and primarily in the ejector mechanism for an open bucket.

- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to vehicles such as used in mining operations and the like, wherein low silhouette requirements exist and, more specifically, to an open bucket construction which is operated by means of a rack and pinion structure and an accordion type arm structure which serves to protect hoses for an hydraulic actuating mechanism. The accordion protector structure also serves as a hose retractor mechanism.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work vehicle of a type employed in mining operations embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of an open bucket and ejector blade operating mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings there is shown a work vehicle of a type especially adapted for use in mining operations and the like. This includes a rear section 10 and a foreward or front section 12 which are independent. The overall vehicle is adaptable to numerous environments of utilization but is of particular advantage in low overhead subterranean locations such as mine shafts. A low structural profile is required for use in this particular area of industry and the apparatus moreover must be, insofar as possible, rugged and not susceptible of damage in normal usage. The rear section, as shown in greater detail in the above mentioned patents, usually incorporates the drive and operating mechanism for the vehicle. This includes such as the riding pallet 14, steering wheel 16, control component housing 18 and operating lever 20. Drive and support wheels 22 are operably connected to gearing generally designated 24 of a usual type. Such structure is more fully shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.

3,545,634 and as shown therein is adapted for driving by electric batteries. The front and rear sections are pivotally interconnected as generally indicated at 26 and operable through hydraulic, cylinder mechanisms 28.

The front section 12, which includes the invention of the present application, consists of an open bucket generally designated 30 which is supported by wheels 32 at its rear mounted on axle structures 34 and connected through frame 36 to pivotal interconnection 26. A drive transmission 38 is utilized for motive and control.

The open bucket, as a unit, is pivotally mounted or supported at 38 on frame 40 supported by axle 34 and wheels 32. Hydraulic tilt means generally indicated at 42 are pivotally attached at 44 to a transverse structural or box member 46 which extends between longitudinal side members 48 on either side of bottom member or plate 50. As shown in the drawings, the open bucket which includes the sidewalls 48 and bottom 50 is open at the rear 52 in a preferred construction. Such reinforcing and/or brace members, not shown, as might be desired are incorporated in the bucket.

An ejector generally designated 54 is reciprocably mounted in the bucket and includes an ejector blade 56 in the nature of a plow mounted at its top on a cross box shaped structural member 58 of sufficient strength and rigidity and which moves with blade 56 as will appear hereinafter. Also attached to the upper portion of blade 56 are angle brace and support angle members 60 at opposite sides of the blade. The ejector blade and operating mechanism therefor are shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 in the extended or ejecting position in the bucket. A retracted position is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the blade and its related structure including cross member 58 coacts with member 46 for closing the rearward end of the open bucket and in this position serves to protect the ejector drive mechanism.

The drive mechanism for extending and retracting the ejector blade 56 in the bucket is hydraulically operated. A source of hydraulic fluid under pressure is connected by hydraulic hoses 62 to a reversible hydraulic motor 64. Motor 64 is operatively connected through shaft 66 to a reducer 68. An output or drive shaft 70 operatively connected with reducer 68 extends transversely across blade 56 mounted in and supported by bearings 72. Toothed pinions 74 are mounted on the ends of shaft 70 and operably engaged with teeth 76 of toothed racks 78 which are fixedly mounted along the inner sides of longitudinal side members 48. The racks 78 also serve as a sliding support for blade 56 through angle support members 60 as shown in FIG. 6. Upon actuation of motor 64, pinions 74 will rotate and through engagement with racks 78 will move the ejector blade between retracted and extended positions. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the drive mechanism, including the motor and reducer, are carried on and move with the ejector blade 56 mounted on a platform 80 operatively attached thereto. The hydraulic hoses 62 during the extension and retracting operations are often exposed to possible damage. The present invention provides means for not only extending and retracting these hoses, but also provides a protective covering therefor. This includes pivotally interconnected rear arm 82 and front arm 84 which respectively at their ends are pivotally interconnected with mounting brackets S6 and 88. Pivot means 90, which interconnects arms 82 and 84,vertically spaces the arms with respect to one another. The hoses 62 are connected by clips or brackets 92 to the under side of arm 82 and the top side of 84. The two arms conjointly function in the nature of an accordion upon movement of the blade between retracted and extended positions and the mounting of the hoses 62 spacedly to the arms 82 and 84 insure that when moving to a retracted position and vice versa, the hoses are protectively separated one from another. Additionally, in the fully retracted position of the ejector blade, during filling of the open bucket, the hoses 62 are protected by and between the arms. Additionally, in the retracted position of the blade the box cross member 58 on the blade passes over the structural member 46 and conjointly these members serve to close the rear end of the bucket and additionally protect the drive mechanism for the blade. The rack and pinion drive mechanism provides drive for the blade and the overall arrangement is not only versatile but simple in construction and operation.

Manifestly, minor changes in details of construction can be effected in the shown and described embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ejector mechanism for an open ended bucket material conveying apparatus having a material support bottom and longitudinal side walls comprising:

A. an ejector blade mounted for fore and aft reciprocable movement over and along said bottom to eject material therefrom;

B. means for moving said blade between retracted and extended positions including:

i. rack and pinion means operatively interconnecting said conveying apparatus and said ejector blade;

ii. said racks being fixedly mounted along the inner sides of said longitudinal side walls;

iii. a laterally positioned rotatably mounted shaft mounting said pinions on the ends thereof in operative engagement with said racks;

iv. drive means including a hydraulic motor and reducer operatively mounted on and carried by said blade during movement thereof for drivingly actuating said pinion shaft for movement with respect to said rack to thereby move said blade;

v. a stationarily positioned hydraulic power source for said drive means mounted on said conveying apparatus;

vi. flexible hose connector means extending between and interconnecting said power source and said drive means; and

C. pivotally interconnected and end mounted arms connected to and supporting said flexible connector means and operable during extension and retraction of said blade to support and protect said flexible connector from damage from outside sources.

2. An ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 1, an end of one said arm being pivotally mounted to and at the rear of said bucket and an end of the other said arm being pivotally connected to said blade, and means pivotally interconnecting the opposite ends of said arms in vertically spaced relationship, said flexible hose being connected to opposed vertically spaced facing sides of said arms for spacing sections of said hose one from another upon pivotal movement of said arms between extended and retracted positions of said blade.

3. Ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 2, including a laterally positioned structural member interconnecting the longitudinal side members of said bucket at the open rear thereof and spaced below the top of said longitudinal side members, a laterally extending cross member attached at the upper end of said blade, said latter cross member in retracted position of said blade extending over said structural member at the rear of said bucket, said cross members and said blade conjointly confining and protecting the drive means for actuating said pinion with said blade in retracted position. 

1. Ejector mechanism for an open ended bucket material conveying apparatus having a material support bottom and longitudinal side walls comprising: A. an ejector blade mounted for fore and aft reciprocable movement over and along said bottom to eject material therefrom; B. means for moving said blade between retracted and extended positions including: i. rack and pinion means operatively interconnecting said conveying apparatus and said ejector blade; ii. said racks being fixedly mounted along the inner sides of said longitudinal side walls; iii. a laterally positioned rotatably mounted shaft mounting said pinions on the ends thereof in operative engagement with said racks; iv. drive means including a hydraulic motor and reducer operatively mounted on and carried by said blade during movement thereof for drivingly actuating said pinion shaft for movement with respect to said rack to thereby move said blade; v. a stationarily positioned hydraulic power source for said drive means mounted on said conveying apparatus; vi. flexible hose connector means extending between and interconnecting said power source and said drive means; and C. pivotally interconnected and end mounted arms connected to and supporting said flexible connector means and operable during extension and retraction of said blade to support and protect said flexible connector from damage from outside sources.
 2. An ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 1, an end of one said arm being pivotally mounted to and at the rear of said bucket and an end of the other said arm being pivotally connected to said blade, and means pivotally interconnecting the opposite ends of said arms in vertically spaced relationship, said flexible hose being connected to opposed vertically spaced facing sides of said arms for spacing sections of said hose one from another upon pivotal movement of said arms between extended and retracted positions of said blade.
 3. Ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 2, including a laterally positioned structural member interconnecting the longitudinal side members of said bucket at the open rear thereof and spaced below the top of said longitudinal side members, a laterally extending cross member attached at the upper end of said blade, said latter cross member in retracted position of said blade extending over said structural member at the rear of said bucket, said cross members and said blade conjointly confining and protecting the drive means for actuating said pinion with said blade in retracted position. 